Comparison optical system

Abstract

A comparison optical system ( 1 ) comprising several image-acquiring optical subsystems is disclosed. A bridge ( 3 ) mechanically and optically connects the optical subsystems to one another. Each of the image-acquiring optical subsystems possesses an XYZ stage ( 8 a , 8 b ), movable in motorized fashion, on which a sample to be examined is placed. Also provided is a control unit which moves the XYZ stages ( 8 a , 8 b ), movable in motorized fashion, synchronously in all three spatial directions. The synchronous motion of the XYZ stages ( 8 a , 8 b ) can be switched on and off by the user.

1 . A comparison optical system comprising: 
 several image-acquiring optical subsystems    a bridge which connects the several image-acquiring optical subsystems mechanically and optically to one another,    an XYZ stage, movable in motorized fashion, is provided for each image-acquiring optical subsystem, and    a control unit for moving the XYZ stages in motorized fashion, synchronously in all three spatial directions.    
     
     
         2 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the image-acquiring optical subsystems is a macroscope.  
     
     
         3 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the image-acquiring optical subsystems is a microscope.  
     
     
         4 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 1  wherein two image-acquiring optical subsystems are mechanically and optically coupled with the bridge.  
     
     
         5 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least for the displacement of the XYZ stages in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, a motor is provided which receives the signals of the control unit and converts them into a corresponding rotation.  
     
     
         6 . A comparison optical system comprising: 
 two macroscopes,    a bridge which connects the two macroscopes mechanically and optically to one another,    an XYZ stage, movable in motorized fashion, is provided for each macroscope, and    a control unit for moving the XYZ stages in motorized fashion, synchronously in all three spatial directions.    
     
     
         7 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the control unit is a control and adjustment apparatus that is associated with the macroscopes.  
     
     
         8 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the control unit is a control and adjustment apparatus that is associated with the macroscopes; and a first remote control device is respectively connected to the first macroscope; and a second remote control device is connected to the second macroscope.  
     
     
         9 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the control and adjustment apparatus possesses an X actuation element for displacement of the first XYZ stage and an X actuation element for displacement of the second XYZ stage, a Y actuation element for displacement of the first XYZ state and a Y actuation element for displacement of the second XYZ stage, and a Z fine displacement control for the first XYZ stage and a Z fine displacement control for the second XYZ stage.  
     
     
         10 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the control and adjustment apparatus encompasses an on/off switch for a synchronous displacement of the two XYZ stages which acts in such a way that when the on/off switch for synchronous displacement is switched on, both XYZ stages are movable synchronously regardless of the actuation of the X actuation element or X actuation element, the Y actuation element or Y actuation element, the Z fine displacement control or the Z fine displacement control.  
     
     
         11 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the first remote control device and the second remote control device encompass a plurality of actuation elements; and the actuation elements of the first remote control device and of the second remote control device are also synchronizable in pairs.  
     
     
         12 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the comparison optical system has associated with it a PC that, via an RS232 cable or a USB cable, supplies control signals to the comparison optical system and receives image data or settings data from the comparison optical system.  
     
     
         13 . A comparison optical system comprising: 
 two microscopes,    a bridge which connects the two microscopes mechanically and optically to one another,    an XYZ stage, movable in motorized fashion, is provided for each microscope, and    a control unit for moving the XYZ stages in motorized fashion, synchronously in all three spatial directions.    
     
     
         14 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the control unit is a first remote control device that is associated with the first microscope; and a second remote control device is associated with the second microscope.  
     
     
         15 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the control unit is a control and adjustment apparatus which possesses an X actuation element for displacement of the first XYZ stage and an X actuation element for displacement of the second XYZ stage, a Y actuation element for displacement of the first XYZ state and a Y actuation element for displacement of the second XYZ stage, and a Z fine displacement control for the first XYZ stage and a Z fine displacement control for the second XYZ stage.  
     
     
         16 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the control and adjustment apparatus encompasses an on/off switch for a synchronous displacement of the two XYZ stages which acts in such a way that when the on/off switch for synchronous displacement is switched on, both XYZ stages are movable synchronously regardless of the actuation of the X actuation element or X actuation element, the Y actuation element or Y actuation element, the Z fine displacement control or the Z fine displacement control.  
     
     
         17 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the first remote control device and the second remote control device encompass a plurality of actuation elements; and the actuation elements of the first remote control device and of the second remote control device are also synchronizable in pairs.  
     
     
         18 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein at least for the displacement of the XYZ stages in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, a motor is provided which receives the signals of the control unit and converts them into a corresponding rotation.  
     
     
         19 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the comparison optical system has associated with it a PC that, via an RS232 cable or a USB cable, supplies control signals to the comparison optical system and receives image data or settings data from the comparison optical system.  
     
     
         20 . The comparison optical system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the synchronization of the XYZ stages can be switched on and off by way of the PC ( 20 ).